Microwave Shuts Off After a Few Seconds

The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Microwave shuts off after a few seconds are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page.

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Most Frequent Causes for Microwave shuts off after a few seconds

A door switch might be failing intermittently. Check each of the door switches for signs of overheating, arcing, or burning. If you don’t see any obvious signs of failure, use a multimeter to test each switch for continuity. If any of the switches is visibly damaged or only has intermittent continuity, replace it.

Parts

Door Switch

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Cause 2Main Control Board

Control boards are often misdiagnosed—before replacing the control board, first check more commonly defective parts, particularly the door switches. If all of the other components are working properly, replace the control board.

Parts

Main Control Board

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Where is my model number?Your model number is on a plate, in one of these locations:

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Cause 3Touchpad and Control Panel

To determine if the touchpad and control panel are defective, try pressing each of the buttons on the control panel. If some of the buttons respond correctly while others don’t, replace the touchpad and control panel.

Parts

Touchpad and Control Panel

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Where is my model number?Your model number is on a plate, in one of these locations:

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Cause 4Touchpad

If the microwave runs for a few seconds and stops the touchpad might be at fault. This is not common. Generally speaking, if the microwave display is working and some of the buttons respond correctly but some don’t, the problem is with the touchpad.

Parts

Touchpad

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Where is my model number?Your model number is on a plate, in one of these locations:

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Cause 5High Voltage Transformer

Microwave ovens produce a very high voltage in order to power the magnetron antenna, which emits the energy that cooks the food. When a high voltage transformer fails, it will usually arc and have a burning smell. (Warning: The microwave oven can store a lethal amount of electricity in its high voltage capacitor, even after the microwave oven has been unplugged. Due to the high running voltage and the potential for electric shock, it is extremely dangerous to replace the electronic components in a microwave. Only a licensed technician should replace the high voltage transformer.)

Parts

High Voltage Transformer

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Cause 6Thermoprotector

If the microwave runs for a few seconds and stops the thermoprotector may have tripped. This is a safety device to prevent the microwave from overheating. It can be tested for continuity to see if it's blown.

Parts

Thermoprotector

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Where is my model number?Your model number is on a plate, in one of these locations:

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Cause 7Thermostat

If the microwave runs for a few seconds and stops the thermostat might be defective. Watch our video on testing thermostats.

Parts

Thermostat

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Where is my model number?Your model number is on a plate, in one of these locations:

Handy tip - Make it easy on yourself! Use your smart phone to take a picture of the model number tag.